Building block



May 25, 1943. w. A. BLANDING, JR 2,319,914

BUILDING BLOCK lFiled Nov. 2e, 1940 a H6' ZZ INVENTOR. F/G. 2O F/G "-9/BY #WM/4M A? 5gg/Vw ATTORNEY.

Patented May 25, 1943 UNITED STATES PAT-ENToFFlcE BUILDING BLOCK wiuiamA. nlanaing, Jr., neming, Mich. Application November 26, 1940, SerialNo. 367,210

6 Claims. (Cl. 46-25) This invention relates to interlocking buildingblocks.

'I'he principal object of the invention is to provide a set of building`blocks which includes a large number of blocks of separate and distinctshapes and sizes, so constructed that the blocks may be locked togetherinv different combinations of three or more to form a wide variety ofstructures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set ofbuilding blocks.capable of being assembled in interlocking relationship without the useof separate key blocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a set of building blockswhich can be readily assembled and disassembled, and which whenassembled `form a stable composite structure.

These objects are attained by providing a set of a large number ofblocks, all of which have the following features in common:

1. Each block is formed in one piece but comprises one or morefundamental L-shaped sections, all of said sections being the same size.

2. All blocks are provided with right parallelepipedal projections ofthe same thickness.

3. The lengths of the blocks are multiples of the lengths of theshortest of the above mentioned projections.

The foregoing objects will more fully appear in the foregoingspecication when read in connection with the accompanying drawing,wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view with parts broken away of onestructure formed from the set of blocks comprising this invention;

Figures 2 to 19 are pictorial Views of the respective individual blockswhich make up the set comprising the invention; and

Figures 20 to 23 are pictorial views illustrating the manner ofassembling certain of the blocks together.

In the following description and in the claims the word length indicatesa dimension taken in the direction indicated by the letter L in Figure2. Similarly, width and height indicate dimensions taken in thedirections indicated by the letters W and T respectively. Thus, thelength of a block or a part thereof may be less than its width orheight.

'I'he blocks which comprise this invention may be divided generally intothree groups. includes blocks A to I, shown in Figures 2 to l1, and maybe called the wall blocks. Group 2 consists of blocks J, K and L, shownin Figures 12 to roof blocks M, N and O, cornice block P, and

chimney base block Q, shown in Figures 15 to 19 respectively.

All upright structures, such as walls and the like, are formed byvarious combinations of the blocks of Group 1. All of these blocks havethe same overall width and the same overall height. Preferably theirwidth is twice their height. All of them are provided with cooperatingprojections and recesses so formed that any three of the blocks may besecured together in interlocking relationship.`

It will be noted from the drawing that each of blocks A to I comprisinggroup I is composed of one or more L-shaped sections III which may betermed the fundamental sections. All such fundamental sections areidentical in size and shape. They are deilned in the drawing by theexterior surfaces of the blocks and the planes formed by the brokenlines in Figures 2 to 11.

Block B is the smallest block, and all other blocks of group I aremultiples of it in length. This block is composed of two of the L-shaped'sections above described arranged back to back.

The upright legs of the L-shaped sections I0 form a pair of oppositelyextending projections II at one end of the block. Adjacent theprojections II at the other end of the block areangular recesses I2, thebottoms of which are formed by the horizontal legs of the L-shapedsections IB.

Since the L-shaped sections are equal in size and shape, it follows thatthe projections II are equal in length, width and height. The length,width and depth of each recess I2 are equal to the length, width andheight respectively of each of the projections I I. The length of theblock B is twice the length of the projections I I.

Block A is the most frequently used of all of the blocks of the set. Itis composed of four L- shaped sections arranged as shown in Figure 2, orin other words, isshaped like two of the blocks B arranged end to end.This block has two pairs of oppositely extending projections I I at theends of the block separated by recesses I3 of a length twice that of theprojections II. The length of the block is four times the length of theprojections II.

Block C is employed primarily to form the top or bottom of a windowopening or the top of a -door opening in a wall. It is composed of sixL-shaped sections I0, four of them being located back to back at theends of the block, andthe other two arranged end to end in the middle of14, which are step blocks, and group 3 includes 55 the block. Thus, theblock has four projections the block isa wide recess I5.

Blocks D and E are the base blocks for a wall structure. These blocksare composed respectively of one and two L-shaped sections respectively.'I'he blocks D and E are similar Ato blocks B and A, respectively, butwith the bottom recesses I2 and I3 lled up so that the blocks may reston a oor or table without leaving any gaps.

Block F is another base block employed to form the bottom oi.' a doorframe. 'I'his block has two projections Il 'at the ends and a widerecess therebetween. The length of the block is eight times the lengthof the projections II.

Blocks G and G' are corner blocks for joining two walls at right anglesto each other. Block G is of the same length, width and height as blockA and has three projections II thereon, two at one end and one at theother. A fourth projection, designated by the numeral I 6, is of thesame length as the projections II but its width is equal to its length.

Block G' is substantially the same as block G but-has a squareprojection I6', the same as I6 in block G, but located at the oppositecorner. 'I'he blocks G alnd G are used alternately in building thecorner between the adjoining walls, see Figure 23.

Block H- is employed in a manner similar to block C but is used to forma window or door opening of extra. width. It is similar to block C. butlonger, being twelve times the length of the end projections II. It hastwo double length projections Il on one side. The recesses I3 betweenthe projections II and I4 are twice the length of the projections I I.

Block I is employed only at the top of a wall to support the eaveblocks, which will be described presently. Block I has two projections II on the bottom side spaced apart by a recess I3. The length of theblock is four times the length of the projections I I. vOn the top ofthe block is a proof the projection Il is equal to the length ofprojections II. At the other edge of rthe block is a recess I9 of awidth equal to the length of recesses I2 previously described. Thus, thewidth of the recess Il is equal t0 the width of projection I8.

Block N is slightly wider than block M, but otherwise of the same crosssection. 'I'he added width is provided by an elongated projection at theside opposite the projection I8. This projection 20 forms an overhangingeave for a house structure, such as shown in Figure 1. The elongatedrecess I9 between the projections I8 and 20 receives the projections I'Ion the top wall blocks I.

Block 0 is of the same cross-section as block j M, but adjacent one endthereof is provided with jection I1 which extends the full length of theblock at one edge thereof. 'I'he width and height of the projection I1are equal to the length and height oi the projections I I.

Blocks J, K and L, forming group 2, are used only for steps. Block J isthe bottom or ilrst step. Its length is six times the length of theprojection II on the blocks previously described. This block is formedto ilt around the ends of two base blocks E. v

Block K is the same length as block J and has a projection on one sidethereof extending the full length of the block. 'I'he width oi' thisprojection is equal to the length of projections II. Block K rests uponblock J and interlocks therewith.

Block L is the third or top step. This block is equal in length to blockA and is oi' rthe same cross-section as block K. It tits into the wallstructure between twoadjoining blocks, such as blocks A.

The blocks of group 3 all have one or more inclined surfaces but theyinclude the same fundamental L-shaped section as do the other blocks.

Block M is long enough to extend the full length of a house, such as isshown in Figure 1. On its lower surface it has a projection I8 whichextends the full length of the block. The width 'I5- a transverse grooveor recess 2|. This recess is adapted to receive the chimney base blockwhich will be described presently.

Block P is of the same cross-section as block M. Its length, however, isequal to the width of the wall blocks forming group I.

Block Q is the chimney base block. It is formed of two L-shaped sectionsIU arranged in end to end relationship and has two triangular sectionson its lower side. 'I'he two triangular sections form a V-shaped recess22 which fits over the :blocks O in the groove 2l. The top surface ofthe block has a projection Il and a pair of recesses I2 at opposite endsof the projection I4.

The manner of locking theblocks together is illustrated in Figures l,20, 2l, 22 and 23. The base blocks D, E and F are arranged in end to endrelationship in any desired combination and where a cornervis to beformed one of the blocks E is arranged with one end at the side of amadjacent -block E. The wall is then built up of a plurality of sections,such as A, the latter being arranged in end to end relationship, so thata pair of projections II are received in the recesses I3 in the blocks Eand F, and the projections II on the blocks E and F are received in therecesses I3 in blocks A. At the corners of the building, blocks G and G'are arranged in alternate relationship and are interlocked with baseblocks E and with each other, as shown best in Figure 23. Theprojections II, I6 and I 6' on blocks G and G cooperate with similarprojections on adjoining blocks A to lock the blocks together.

Blocks B, C, H and I are also tted into the wall and interlocked in thesame manner, but are used around door and window openings and at thebottom of the wall, as necessary.

The use of the roof blocks is shown in Figures 20 to 22. Block N itsover the upstanding projections I1 on the blocks I and the projections II on blocks G and G at the corners of the building. The aforementionedprojections are received in the recess I9 in the bottom of the block N.

The projections I8 on the lower sides of the blocks M are received inthe recesses I3 in the top blocks A at the ends of the building. SeeFigure 21.

There are two Iblocks O. These t together in back to back relationshipas shown in Figure 22, and the projections I8 are reecived in the recessiI3 in the top block A at each end of the build- The chimney base blockQ seats in the recesses 2I in the blocks O. 'I'he chimney may becompleted by iitting a -base block B over the projection I4 on the topoi' the chimney base block Q,

or the chimney may be built higher with additional .blocks A and B.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the blocks which comprise thisinvention are so constructed that they may be interlocked in a widevariety of ways. Furthermore, each block interlocks with one or more ofthe other blocks without the use of separate key blocks, such as havebeen considered necessary in previous sets of blocks. No gaps whateverappear in the completed structure except those for the windows, doorsand the like.

'I'his invention has been developed primarily as a toy. However, it willbe evident that larger blocks involving the same fundamental principlesmay be constructed for the purpose of erecting full sized buildings ofdifferent sorts. v

The scope of the invention is indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A set of building blocks including three blocks of differentconfigurations, said blocks being formed with cooperating projectionsand recesses whereby the blocks may be secured in interlockedengagement, one of said blocks being of substantially greater lengththan its width and height, said block having a projection on one side atthe edge thereof extending the full length of the block, the width ofsaidv projection being equal to the length of the shortest projection onany of the blocks.

2. A set of building blocks including three blocks of dierentconilgurations having the saine overall width and the same overallheight, said blocks being formed with cooperating projections andrecesses whereby said blocks may be secured in interlocked engagement,one of said blocks comprising two oppositely extending projections ofequal size at one end of the block andof a width equal to the width ofthe block, and two oppositelyextending projections at the other end of4the block, one of said last mentioned projections having a width equalto its length.

3. .A set of building blocks comprising at least three separate blocks,each of said blocks being of a dmerent conilguration and each blockbeing of the same width and overallheight as the other a recesstherebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combined dimensions oftwo of said last named projections, whereby said blocks may be securedin interlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniformthickness equal to the width of said blocks.

4. A set of building blocks comprising atleast four separate blocks,each of said blocks being of a different configuration and each blockbeing of the same width and overall height as the other blocks, at leasttwo of said blocks being of the same length, each of said blocks havinga projection on one face thereof at one end thereof, all of saidprojections being of the same shape and size, at least two of saidblocks having two of said projections on one face thereof spaced to forma recess therebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combineddimensions of two of said projections, whereby said blocks may besecured in interlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniformthickness equal to and size, at least two of said blocks having two ofsaid projections on one face thereof spaced to form a recesstherebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combined dimensions oftwo of said projections, whereby said blocks may be secured ininterlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniform thicknessequal to the width of said blocks.

6. A set of building blocks comprising at least three separate blocks,each of said blocks being of a different configuration and each blockbeing of the same width and overall height as the other blocks, at leasttwo of said blocks being of the same length, each of said blocks havinga projectionon one face thereof at one end thereof, all of saidprojections being of the same shape and size, at least one of saidblocks having two of said projections on one face thereof spaced to forma recess therebetween of a dimension corresponding to the combineddimensions of two of said projections, at least one of said blockscomprising a pair of oppositely extending projections of equal size ateach end of the block, whereby said blocks may bejsecured ininterlocking engagement to form a wall structure of a uniform thicknessequal to the width of said blocks.

WILLIAM A. BLANDING, Jn.

